IKEA Canada Supports Alberta Flood Recovery by Donating a Total of $130,000 in Home Furnishings to Save the Children and Salvation Army

BURLINGTON, ON, Oct. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, IKEA Canada announced a donation of $130,000 CAD in furniture and home furnishings products to be distributed to both the Salvation Army and Save the Children Canada. The donations will aid flood recovery efforts in Alberta. Save the Children will be allocating their portion of the donation to the Siksika and Morley First Nations communities and the Salvation Army will send aid to the High River community. Working with these organizations ensures that the donated products reach the communities who are in the greatest need during this difficult time.

"IKEA is committed to having a positive impact in and around the communities that we are a part of," said Kerri Molinaro, President, IKEA Canada. "Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by this past summer's flooding. We understand that home is the most important place in the world, and we are hoping our donation will help families in Alberta rebuild their homes as the recovery efforts continue."

IKEA Canada is working closely with Save the Children to deliver 100 mattresses, bed frames and sheet sets to the Siksika and Morley First Nations' communities. The company also provided a selection of products from the IKEA Children's range to help establish child-friendly spaces for families affected by the flood in these communities.

"I am truly humbled by the kind donation from IKEA today and the contributions of so many in our time of need," said Siksika Nation Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier.

IKEA is also providing 300 mattresses, bed frames, and sheet sets to the Salvation Army. All of these products will be directed to recovery efforts in High River, assisting members of the community in rebuilding their homes.

"The Salvation Army has been assisting those affected by the floods in High River since June 20^th  and we are so grateful to IKEA for this very generous donation that will allow us to continue to meet some of the most basic needs," said Captain Pam Goodyear, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations & Development. 

To assist with the product donations, co-workers from the IKEA Calgary store have volunteered their time and logistics expertise to receive, transfer, and deliver the donated products to Save the Children and Salvation Army locations supporting the affected communities.

About IKEA Canada
IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 338 stores in 40 countries worldwide, which are visited by 776 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the IKEA.com websites attracted 1.1 billion visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca. 

About Save the Children
Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children, delivery programs and improving lives in about 119 countries worldwide. Working toward a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation, Save the Children's mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. Learn more at www.savethechildren.ca and www.facebook.com/savethechildren.ca.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day in 400 communities across Canada and in more than 125 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, provides shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

SOURCE: IKEA Canada